The Victorian Railways X class, a "hood" type evolution of the VR's extremely successful "Bulldog" nosed S class, entered service in three distinct batches between 1966 and 1976.The first series comprised X 31 to X36,entered service between August and November 1966, and were fittedwith 1800 hp engines and distinctive narrow horizontal intakes forthe radiators and fans on the long hood end of the loco.
The second batch of Xs, X 37 to X 44, entered service between May and October 1970, differing from the first batch in being fitted with a more modern 2000hp engine and having a wider air intake for the radiators and fans at the longhood end.Both the first and second series X's were built for Bi-directional travel with the use of one control stand, though unlike most "hood" diesels, the long end was regarded as the "front".
The third series, X45 to X 54, was delivered in 1975/76 and had some significant internal differences with the previous batches, as well as the more obvious redesigned cab as the short end had been redesignated the "front" and locos now normally travelled short end leading.They handle all sorts of traffic across both the Broad and Standard gauge networks and have also been involved in "through" working into NSW and SA.
Thanks to Lloyd Hutcheon and Michael Kurkowski for assistance with Prototype information |
